Surname Imhoff - Meaning and Origin

Imhoff: What does the surname Imhoff mean?

The last name Imhoff is of German origin and is derived from a nickname given to an individual living in a town or village known for a significant feature, such as a body of water or a prominent hill. The name, often spelled as ‘Imhoff’, refers to a ‘dweller at the mouth of a stream or river’, and can be interpreted to mean those who lived at the confluence of two streams.

Throughout the centuries, this surname has held a symbolic meaning for the family’s roots and has been passed down through generations, often taking many forms including ‘Imhof’, ‘Inhoff’, and ‘Emhoff’.

As the Imhoff surname is quite common, it is likely that many families with this name will have stemmed from the same ancestors. This communal identity could help individuals with the same surname to discover connections between their own families and that of their fellow Imhoff peers.

The fact that this surname is so widely spread can also give rise to curiosity surrounding the roots of those who hold it. It can occasionally be made clear that these individuals are indeed of German origin, but other times, determining the geographic region from which two ancestors may have arrived is far more complex.

In summary, those with the Imhoff surname are likely to be of Germanic origin, and the name could relate to living near the confluence of two rivers. It is also a name that is quite common, meaning that many individuals are likely to be connected in some form or another, raising the potential to unravel the origin of the Imhoff name.

Imhoff: Where does the name Imhoff come from?

Imhoff is an uncommon surname of German origin. It is most often found in areas of the world where German has traditionally been spoken, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and other German-speaking parts of Europe. It is also popular among individuals of German descent in the United States, Canada, and South America.

Although Imhoff is not a particularly common surname, it can still be found in many places. In Germany, Imhoff can be found mainly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Baden-Württemberg. Across the border in Austria, Imhoff is equally popular, with the highest concentrations in the states of Tyrol, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, and the city of Vienna. The surname is also reasonably common in Switzerland, particularly in the eastern cantons.

Outside of Europe, Imhoff can also be found among German descendants in North America, South America, and parts of Australia. The distribution of the surname is fairly even on both sides of the Atlantic, and in certain regions it may even be more common than in Germany itself. As a result, the Imhoff surname can be discovered in records from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and other historically German regions in the Americas.

Variations of the surname Imhoff

The surname Imhoff is a German surname with variants such as Imhof, Imof and Imhoffe, all differing primarily by the spelling of the letter "f". It is derived from Middle High German imme, which is either an old Germanic personal name or a variant of the word enim meaning "at home", and hof meaning "courtyard" or "farm". So the name Imhoff likely indicated one who lived in a house or courtyard that belonged to an Imme.

The surname Imhoff can also take on various spelling variations such as Imhaf, Imhoffff, Imhofe, Imhoff, Imhofi, Imhof, Imhaff, Imholf, Imhoffe, Immhole, Immholff, Immhoffen, Immolff, Imohoff and Emhof.

Aside from variant spellings, Imhoff has also been anglicized to Humph, Umpah, Omps and Omph.

Variant surnames of Imhoff are formed by adding regional suffixes. So in Germany, Imhoff would become Imhoffen, in Switzerland Imhoffer, in France Imhoffert and in the Netherlands Imhoffman. All these variants derive from the same original name.

In addition, there are several others surnames that are morphologically related to Imhoff. These include Embel and Embelen, both seemingly derived from the regionalized form Imhoffen. Other Derivatives are the Dutch Jacobs, Imhof and Jeroen. Finally, there is Owmhoff, which was a rare version of the surname found in the Rhineland, likely coming a corruption of Imhoff.

Famous people with the name Imhoff

• Stephen Imhoff: pop music composer and author of books such as Killing Music, Times Square Music, and Rockin' Rarities.
• Dave Imhoff: professional hockey player who played for the Buffalo Sabres in the late 1970s.
• Kurt Imhoff: former NFL defensive end who played in the early 1980s.
• Kirsten Imhoff: former Olympic synchronized swimmer who won a bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
• Wally Imhoff: American theater and television actor, known for his roles in films like The King of Comedy and The Natural.
• Bart Imhoff: professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the mid-1980s.
• David Imhoff: German painter and sculptor whose works include abstract art and photography.
• Jonathan Imhoff: American film producer, who has produced over twenty feature films.
• Mark Imhoff: San Francisco architect and landscape designer responsible for public spaces such as London's Regent's Park and the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
• Derek Imhoff: Canadian curler who has represented Ontario in four Brier tournaments.

Other surnames

ImhofImhofer